Question 112·Easy·Command of Evidence
In the historical novel Harbor Lights, the narrator claims that Captain Ellis is anxious about the upcoming voyage: ______
Which quotation from Harbor Lights most clearly supports this claim?
For command-of-evidence questions that ask which quote best supports a claim, first underline the key parts of the claim (who it’s about and what it says—here, Ellis and his anxiety). Then quickly scan each option, eliminating any that (1) are about someone or something else, or (2) show a mood or idea that clearly doesn’t match the claim. From what remains, choose the quotation that most directly and specifically shows the claimed feeling or idea, using strong words or clear description rather than weak or neutral language.
Hints
Clarify the claim
Rewrite the claim in your own words: the narrator is saying that Captain Ellis feels nervous or worried about what will happen on the voyage. Which option shows that?
Look at who and what
Check whether each choice is actually describing Captain Ellis and his feelings, or if it is focused on other people or just objects and setting.
Check the emotional tone
Ask yourself: does the language in the quote sound worried, calm, happy, or neutral? Eliminate any option where the mood clearly doesn’t match anxiety.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate what the question is asking
The question says the narrator claims that Captain Ellis is anxious about the upcoming voyage. You must pick the quotation that best proves (gives evidence for) this claim.
So you are looking for a line that:
- Is about Captain Ellis, and
- Clearly shows that he is worried or nervous about the voyage.
Focus on who is being described and the emotion shown
Check each answer choice for two things:
- Who is mentioned? Is it Captain Ellis himself, other sailors, or just objects?
- What is the mood or emotion? Is it worried, calm, cheerful, neutral, or something else?
Eliminate any choice that:
- Does not mention Ellis, or
- Shows a mood that is clearly not anxious (such as cheerful, relaxed, or neutral).
Eliminate choices that don’t show anxiety
Go through the options:
- Choice A shows the captain “humming a cheerful tune,” which sounds relaxed and happy, not anxious.
- Choice C is about the sailors, not Ellis, and says they are “unfazed,” meaning not worried.
- Choice D describes crates of fruit; it doesn’t show any person’s feelings at all.
Only one option both focuses on Ellis and clearly suggests worry or nervousness about the weather and the voyage.
Identify the quotation that clearly shows Ellis’s anxiety
The quotation that best supports the claim that Captain Ellis is anxious is:
“Ellis pulled his coat tighter, checking the horizon for signs of storm, his brows knit in worry.”
This line directly shows Ellis’s worried behavior (pulling his coat tighter, checking for storms) and even names his emotion (“brows knit in worry”), which clearly matches the idea that he is anxious about the upcoming voyage.